A Seat at the Table

Japan is a true mecca for dining and local delicacies; the region is renowned for its unique cuisine, which is championed by fresh local produce and exceptional chefs. Although quality restaurants may be bountiful, getting a coveted reservation can be problematic for travelers. Enter TABLEALL – an online platform that aims to bridge the gap between high-end Japanese cuisine and gastronomy lovers.

Throughout his 15 year career at Goldman Sachs, TABLEALL founder Takashi Yamada found himself frequently entertaining clients at top restaurants in Japan. Not only did his patronage enable him to build connections with Japan’s best chefs but it also shed light into the loss experienced by the restaurant when reservations were cancelled at the last minute. Yamada was also frequently called upon by frustrated friends who were exasperated by Japan’s non-inclusive methods for booking reservations. All of these factors paved the way towards the lightbulb moment of creating TABLEALL.

“I knew there had to be a better way. The experience of Japan’s rich food culture is something I love about the country, and is one of the leading causes of tourism, but it is often too inaccessible. Tourism and inclusiveness are very important for Japan’s sustainability. I see TABLEALL as my contribution to Japan’s future.”

Instead of charging for membership, TABLEALL only requires diners to pay a small booking fee per reservation. The platform currently offers the following features:

User-friendly English platform

Curated list of acclaimed Japan-based restaurants

Quality photography and in-depth articles about each listed restaurant

Insight into individual chefs and the stories behind their signature dishes

Send private messages to the chef to share feedback and build rapport

TABLEALL没有采用收取会员费的模式，而是按每次预订向食客收取小额的预订费用。这个平台目前有以下这些功能：

用户友好的英文平台

一系列最负盛名的日本餐馆

以优质的摄影图片和深入的文章介绍每一间餐馆

关注每一位厨师以及他们的招牌菜背后的故事

可以发送私人讯息给厨师，分享反馈，建立联系

Some of the restaurants that are already available through TABLEALL include Michelin-starred establishments, such as Tempura Uchitsu, Ginza Sushi Kanesaka, Karyu, Higuchi, Sushi Arai and Tempura Motoyoshi. The platform is a true game changer for travellers, allowing the agenda to switch from “where can I get in?” to “where shall we choose today?”